Device for varying a multihull capsizing torque

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for varying the capsizing torque of a multiple-hull vessel ( 12 ), consisting of at least two floats ( 9 ) connected together by at least two beams respectively referred to as the front connecting beam ( 8 ) and the rear connecting beam ( 6 ), characterized in that it comprises a geometric platform ( 15 ) supporting a mast assembly ( 1 ) and a crew nacelle ( 10 ) and in that the said platform ( 15 ) is mounted in a transverse sliding manner on the multiple-hull vessel ( 12 ) in order to allow, depending on the equilibrium sought by the crew, the movement of the mast assembly ( 1 ) and of the crew nacelle ( 10 ) from one edge of the multiple-hull vessel ( 12 ) to the other.  
     It also relates to a multiple-hull vessel equipped with this device.

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for varying the capsizing torque of a multiple-hull vessel.

[0002] It also relates to a multiple-hull vessel equipped with this device.

[0003] It is known that multiple-hull vessels, that is to say catamarans and trimarans, are still vessels that, despite technological developments, provide little safety because of their ease of capsizing, which necessitates a certain level of knowledge by the seaman in order to prevent such a consequence.

[0004] The speed of these vessels, compared with that of single-hull vessels, makes capsizing even more dangerous. Furthermore, once capsized, it becomes very difficult for the crew of the vessel to right it.

[0005] A device making it possible to reduce the listing of a single-hull vessel, in order to improve the vessel's sailing trim in particular is already known in the prior art, in particular through the U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,714. This device consists of a straight track, mounted rigidly on the hull and disposed transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the hull, upon which a mast foot is mounted in a sliding manner. This mast foot is capable of being moved from one edge of the hull to the other by means of a sheet guided in pulleys disposed symmetrically on the hull of the vessel.

[0006] Even though devices for reducing listing of this type are known for single-hull vessels, they continue to be the subject of developments aimed at allowing their application to multiple-hull vessels and at improving their performance, particularly with respect to greater safety in sailing for this type of vessel and also many other advantages that will be described below.

[0007] The purpose of the invention is therefore to propose a device for varying the capsizing torque of a multiple-hull vessel in which the efforts to be applied by the crew during a righting of the multiple-hull vessel are also minimized.

[0008] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a device for varying the capsizing torque of a multiple-hull vessel, consisting of at least two floats connected together by at least two beams respectively referred to as the front connecting beam and the rear connecting beam, characterized in that it comprises a geometric platform supporting a mast assembly and a crew nacelle and in that the said platform is mounted in a transverse sliding manner on the multiple-hull vessel in order to allow, depending on the equilibrium sought by the crew, the movement of the mast assembly and of the crew nacelle from one edge of the multiple-hull vessel to the other.

[0009] It is therefore already understood that the lateral sliding of the platform will make it possible to move the center of gravity of the vessel. Such a movement will be able in particular to allow the movement of the foot of the mast assembly substantially at the level of one of the floats in one direction and in the other.

[0010] According to another characteristic of the invention, the geometric platform is provided with sliding means of the carriages type capable of cooperating with a transverse guide rail mounted firmly on each one of the beams of the multiple-hull vessel.

[0011] According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the geometric platform also comprises means allowing its movement, of the pulley-block and sheet type, cooperating with the floats of the multiple-hull vessel.

[0012] It is understood that these means will constitute a new function for the sailor in comparison with a conventional multiple-hull vessel, making it possible for him to perceive different sailing sensations.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment, the platform comprises a central habitable structure.

[0014] According to another characteristic of the invention, the geometric platform comprises a transverse beam cooperating with the rear connecting beam and a mast assembly located substantially at right angles to the front connecting beam.

[0015] According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the said platform comprises three fixing points disposed at the corners of an isosceles triangle whose base is parallel with the transverse beam of the platform, these three fixing points each being connected by a stay to the upper part of the mast assembly thus ensuring an adequate holding of the latter.

[0016] According to a particular embodiment, these three fixing points represent the ends of a rigid, star-shaped structure in which the area of the junction of the branches corresponds to the area of positioning of the mast assembly and in which two of the three fixing points are located on the transverse beam of the geometric platform. This star-shaped structure is advantageously covered with a trampoline giving the geometric platform the shape of an isosceles triangle.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a multiple-hull vessel consisting of at least two floats connected together by at least two beams, respectively referred to as the front connecting beam and the rear connecting beam, equipped with a device for varying the capsizing torque according to any one of the abovementioned characteristics.

[0018] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the lateral sliding means of the platform consist of a carriage disposed at the front of the platform substantially at right angles with the mast assembly and cooperating with a guide rail mounted on the front connecting beam and of two rear carriages cooperating between the beam of the platform and the rear connecting beam.

[0019] Still according to the invention, the means of movement of the platform from one side of the vessel to the other consist of a fixed double-pulley pulley-block on each float, referred to as the left pulley-block and the right pulley-block, a central pulley-block, also a double-pulley one, integral with the beam of the mobile platform and a single strand sheet arranged over the pulleys of the various pulley-blocks in such a way that a force in one direction results in the movement of the platform in the opposite direction.

[0020] The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an example embodiment given with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0021]FIG. 1 is a side view of a catamaran equipped with a device according to the present invention,

[0022] FIGS. 2 to 4 are plan views of the catamaran shown in FIG. 1 in the normal position, in the extreme right position and in the extreme left position of the device according to the invention respectively.

[0023]FIGS. 5 and 6 are front views respectively relating to the views shown in FIGS. 2 and 4,

[0024]FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a catamaran equipped with a device according to the present invention,

[0025]FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic rear view of the catamaran shown in FIG. 1 in which a movement mechanism of the device is shown in diagrammatic form, and

[0026]FIGS. 9 and 10 are plan views of variant embodiments of the device.

[0027] It is hereby stated that the terms “front”, “rear”, “left” and “right” used in the continuation of the description are defined with reference to the direction of movement of the vessel 12.

[0028] In FIGS. 1 to 6 there can be seen an illustration of a multiple-hull vessel, in this case a catamaran 12, consisting in a conventional manner of two floats 9 coupled together by two transverse connecting beans hereafter referred to as the front connecting beam 6 and the rear connecting beam 8.

[0029] This catamaran 12 is advantageously equipped with a device 14 for varying its capsizing torque consisting of the sail force and the anti-drift force, forces that are applied to the vessel whilst it is sailing. For this purpose, according to the present invention, this device 14 comprises a geometric platform 15 supporting a mast assembly 1 and a crew nacelle 10, this platform 15 being mounted such that it can slide in a transverse direction over the multiple-hull vessel 12 in order to allow, depending on the equilibrium sought by the crew, the movement of the mast assembly 1 and of the crew nacelle 10 from one edge of the multiple-hull vessel to the other, thus increasing or reducing the torque produced by the forces tending to capsize the vessel.

[0030] According to an embodiment shown in diagrammatic form in FIGS. 7 and 8, this platform 15 is provided with sliding means, described in more detail in the continuation of the description, of the type having carriages 7 and 16, each capable of cooperating with a transverse guide rail, which is not shown, firmly attached to each of the beams 6 and 8 of the multiple-hull vessel.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the geometric platform 15 comprises a transverse beam 4 cooperating with the rear connecting beam 6 of the catamaran 12 and a mast assembly 1 located substantially at right angles with the front connecting beam 8 of the vessel.

[0032] In order to ensure adequate holding of the mast assembly 1, the said platform 15 comprises three fixing points A, B and C advantageously disposed at the corners of an isosceles triangle whose base is parallel with the transverse beam 4 of the platform 15, these three points A, B and C each being connected by a stay 13 to the upper part of the mast assembly 1.

[0033] Furthermore, it will be observed that these three fixing points A, B and C represent the ends of a rigid, star-shaped structure 3 in which the area of the junction of the branches corresponds to the area of positioning of the mast assembly 1 and in which two B and C of the three fixing points are located on the transverse beam 4 of the geometric platform 15, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0034] This rigid star-shaped structure 3 also supports in a symmetrical manner the arrangement of a nacelle 10 or of seats enabling the crew to be seated, as can be seen in FIG. 1.

[0035] Without departing from the scope of the invention it is observed that the geometric platform 15 can assume different shapes such as those shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 9 and 10, that is to say two perpendicular beams 17 and 18 or even an arrangement of rigid beams 19 exhibiting the shape of a rectangle separated by a longitudinal beam 20 one of whose ends constitutes one A of the three fixing points for the stays 13.

[0036] Each of these structures as well as the star-shaped structure 3 is furthermore covered with a trampoline 21 in order to allow the possible movements of the crew. This trampoline 21, arranged on the structure 3 in order to form an isosceles triangle provides a large movement area for the sailors in comparison with a conventional catamaran. It will also be noted that this movement area can be further increased by placing a second trampoline 26 between the front 8 and rear 6 connecting beams.

[0037] According to another variant embodiment, which is not shown, the platform 15 can also comprise a central habitable structure, which is not shown.

[0038] The lateral sliding means of the platform 15 advantageously consist, as mentioned above, of a carriage 7 disposed at the front of the platform 15 substantially at right angles with the mast assembly 1 cooperating with a guide rail (which is not shown) mounted on the front connecting beam 8 and of two rear carriages 16 cooperating between the beam 4 of the platform 15 and the rear connecting beam 6, as can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0039] The means of movement of the platform 15 from one side of the vessel to the other consist, for example, of a fixed double-pulley pulley-block on each float 9, referred to as the left pulley-block 22 and the right pulley-block 23, a central pulley-block 24, also a double-pulley one, integral with the beam 4 of the mobile platform 15 and a single strand sheet 25 arranged, as explained in FIG. 8, over the pulleys of the various pulley-blocks 22, 23, 24 in such a way that a force in one direction results in the movement of the platform 15 in the opposite direction.

[0040] The functioning of the device intended to vary the capsizing torque of a multiple-hull vessel is already apparent from the description which has been given above and will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

[0041] Whilst sailing, the crew, which generally comprises four persons, can decide, in accordance with the external conditions, that is to say the intensity of the wind, to move the platform 15 laterally by pulling on one of the sides of the sheet 25 according to the desired direction of movement, thus moving the center of gravity of the vessel 12 and consequently resulting in a lightening of the float 9, located on the windward side and even its emergence from the water, which reduces the friction area during light winds. Conversely, it makes this same float 9 heavier during stronger winds in order to achieve the equilibrium allowing the multiple-hull vessel 12 to increase its speed whilst retaining a large sail area.

[0042] Thus, by moving the platform 15, and consequently the mast assembly 1 and the crew, the center of gravity is moved such that the capsizing torque becomes variable. The probability of capsizing such a vessel is greatly reduced thus resulting in distinctly improved safety.

[0043] Furthermore, if a capsizing should occur, the lateral movement of the platform 15 and therefore of the mast assembly 1, makes it possible to position the center of gravity of the vessel equipped with such a device above the buoyancy thrust, consequently canceling out the capsizing torque. By means of such a movement, a novice sailor will have greater ease in righting his vessel.

[0044] It will be noted that the device according to the present invention allows a movement of the platform 15 of at least half of its width.

[0045] It is understood that the device according to the present invention mounted on a multiple-hull vessel, namely a catamaran or a trimaran, makes it possible for this type of vessel to be used by a wider range of people by making it more stable and more comfortable than a conventional multiple-hull vessel.

[0046] Furthermore, this device makes it possible to adjust the weight/power/equilibrium ratios for the purpose of: increasing power in strong wind, balancing the weights according to the strength of the wind, increasing the power in weak wind, moving the center of gravity to allow self-righting, sailing comfortably and increasing the safety of the crew.

[0047] Even though the invention has been described in relation to a particular embodiment, it comprises all of the techniques equivalent to the described means.

[0048] It is thus that the mast assembly 1 can comprise different sails without departing from the scope of the invention. Similarly, the movement of the geometric shape can be produced by means of hydraulic jacks or similar. 

1. Device for varying the capsizing torque of a multiple-hull vessel (12), consisting of at least two floats (9) connected together by at least two beams respectively referred to as the front connecting beam (8) and the rear connecting beam (6), characterized in that it comprises a geometric platform (15) supporting a mast assembly (1) and a crew nacelle (10) and in that the said platform (15) is mounted in a transverse sliding manner on the multiple-hull vessel (12) in order to allow, depending on the equilibrium sought by the crew, the movement of the mast assembly (1) and of the crew nacelle (10) from one edge of the multiple-hull vessel (12) to the other.
 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the geometric platform (15) is provided with sliding means (7, 16) of the carriages type capable of cooperating with a transverse guide rail mounted firmly on each one of the beams (6, 8) of the multiple-hull vessel.
 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the geometric platform (15) also comprises means (22, 23, 24 and 25) allowing its movement, of the pulley-block and sheet type, cooperating with the floats (9) of the multiple-hull vessel (12).
 4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the platform (15) comprises a central habitable structure.
 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the geometric platform (15) comprises a transverse beam (4) cooperating with the rear connecting beam (6) and a mast assembly (1) located substantially at right angles to the front connecting beam (8).
 6. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the said platform (15) comprises three fixing points (A, B and C) disposed at the corners of an isosceles triangle whose base is parallel with the transverse beam (4) of the platform (15), these three fixing points (A, B and C) each being connected by a stay (13) to the upper part of the mast assembly (1) thus ensuring an adequate holding of the latter (1).
 7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the three fixing points (A, B and C) represent the ends of a rigid, star-shaped structure (3) in which the area of the junction of the branches corresponds to the area of positioning of the mast assembly (1) and in which two (B and C) of the three fixing points are located on the transverse beam (4) of the geometric platform (15).
 8. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the star-shaped structure (3) is covered with a trampoline (21) giving the geometric platform the shape of an isosceles triangle.
 9. Multiple-hull vessel consisting of at least two floats connected together by at least two beams, respectively referred to as the front conecting beam and the rear connecting beam, equipped with a device for varying the capsizing torque according to any one of claims 1 to
 9. 10. Multiple-hull vessel according to claim 9, characterized in that the lateral sliding means of the platform (15) consist of a carriage (7) disposed at the front of the platform (15) substantially at right angles with the mast assembly (1) and cooperating with a guide rail mounted on the front connecting beam (8) and of two rear carriages (16) cooperating between the beam (4) of the platform (15) and the rear connecting beam (6).
 11. Multiple-hull vessel according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the means of movement of the platform (15) from one side of the vessel to the other consist of a fixed double-pulley pulley-block on each float (9), referred to as the left pulley-block (22) and the right pulley-block (23), a central pulley-block (24), also a double-pulley one, integral with the beam (4) of the mobile platform (15) and a single strand sheet (25) arranged over the pulleys of the various pulley-blocks (22, 23 and 24) in such a way that a force in one direction results in the movement of the platform (15) in the opposite direction. 